Endoscopic stitching devices

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for endoscopic suturing or stitching through an access tube or the like. An endoscopic stitching device is provided and includes a handle assembly; an elongate shaft supported by and extending from the handle assembly; and an end effector supported on a distal end of the elongate shaft. The end effector includes a neck assembly configured and adapted for articulation in one direction between a substantially linear configuration and an off-axis configuration, and a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another. Each jaw defines a suture needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/061,136 filed on Jun. 13, 2008, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for endoscopic suturing or stitching and, more particularly, to devices, systems and methods for endoscopic suturing and/or stitching through an access tube or the like.

2. Background

As medical and hospital costs continue to increase, surgeons are constantly striving to develop advanced surgical techniques. Advances in the surgical field are often related to the development of operative techniques which involve less invasive surgical procedures and reduce overall patient trauma. In this manner, the length of hospital stays can be significantly reduced, and, therefore, the hospital and medical costs can be reduced as well.

One of the truly great advances in recent years to reduce the invasiveness of surgical procedures is endoscopic surgery. Generally, endoscopic surgery involves incising through body walls for example, viewing and/or operating on the ovaries, uterus, gall bladder, bowels, kidneys, appendix, etc. There are many common endoscopic surgical procedures, including arthroscopy, laparoscopy (pelviscopy), gastroentroscopy and laryngobronchoscopy, just to name a few. Typically, trocars are utilized for creating the incisions through which the endoscopic surgery is performed. Trocar tubes or cannula devices are extended into and left in place in the abdominal wall to provide access for endoscopic surgical tools. A camera or endoscope is inserted through a relatively large diameter trocar tube which is generally located at the naval incision, and permits the visual inspection and magnification of the body cavity. The surgeon can then perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures at the surgical site with the aid of specialized instrumentation, such as, forceps, cutters, applicators, and the like which are designed to fit through additional cannulas. Thus, instead of a large incision (typically 12 inches or larger) that cuts through major muscles, patients undergoing endoscopic surgery receive more cosmetically appealing incisions, between 5 and 10 millimeters in size. Recovery is, therefore, much quicker and patients require less anesthesia than traditional surgery. In addition, because the surgical field is greatly magnified, surgeons are better able to dissect blood vessels and control blood loss. Heat and water loss are greatly reduced as a result of the smaller incisions.

In many surgical procedures, including those involved in endoscopic surgery, it is often necessary to suture bodily organs or tissue. The latter is especially challenging during endoscopic surgery because of the small openings through which the suturing of bodily organs or tissues must be accomplished.

In the past, suturing of bodily organs or tissue through endoscopic surgery was achieved through the use of a sharp metal suture needle which had attached at one of its ends a length of suture material. The surgeon would cause the suture needle to penetrate and pass through bodily tissue, pulling the suture material through the bodily tissue. Once the suture material was pulled through the bodily tissue, the surgeon proceeded to tie a knot in the suture material. The knotting of the suture material allowed the surgeon to adjust the tension on the suture material to accommodate the particular tissue being sutured and control approximation, occlusion, attachment or other conditions of the tissue. The ability to control tension is extremely important to the surgeon regardless of the type of surgical procedure being performed.

However, during endoscopic surgery, knotting of the suture material is time consuming and burdensome due to the difficult maneuvers and manipulation which are required through the small endoscopic openings.

Many attempts have been made to provide devices to overcome the disadvantages of conventional suturing. Such prior art devices have essentially been staples, clips, clamps or other fasteners. However, none of these above listed devices overcome the disadvantages associated with suturing bodily tissue during endoscopic surgery.

Accordingly, there is a need for improvements in suturing devices which overcome the shortcomings and drawbacks of prior art apparatus.

SUMMARY

An endoscopic stitching device consistent with the present invention comprises a handle assembly; an elongate shaft supported by and extending from the handle assembly; and an end effector supported on a distal end of the elongate shaft, the end effector including a neck assembly configured and adapted for articulation in one direction between a substantially linear configuration and an off-axis configuration, and a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another, wherein each jaw defines a suture needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof.

In one embodiment, the jaws that are rotatably supported on the end effector for selective rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof when the end effector is in the substantially linear configuration and in the articulated configuration. In another embodiment, the handle assembly supports a rotation assembly configured to transmit an actuation from the handle assembly through the elongate shaft to effectuate rotation of the jaws. The rotation assembly may include a knob rotatably supported on a housing of the handle assembly and operatively connected to a center drive rod assembly, wherein the center drive rod assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongate shaft and connected to the jaws. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the center drive rod assembly is flexible. In an embodiment, the endoscopic stitching device includes a center drive rod assembly translatably supported therein, the center drive rod assembly including a proximal end operatively connected to at least one handle of the handle assembly and a distal end extending through the elongate shaft and operatively connected to the jaws, wherein axial translation of the center drive rod assembly results in opening and closing of the jaws. In an embodiment, the axial rotation of the center drive rod assembly results in rotation of the jaws about a longitudinal axis thereof. In one embodiment, the endoscopic stitching device includes a rotation assembly supported on a housing of the handle assembly and operatively connected to the center drive rod assembly, wherein actuation of the rotation assembly results in concomitant rotation of the center drive rod assembly and the jaws. In an embodiment, at least a portion of a length of the center drive rod assembly is flexible, wherein the flexible portion of the center drive rod assembly will flex upon an articulation of the end effector and enable rotation of the jaws when the end effector is in an articulated condition.

In an embodiment, the end effector further includes a pair of axially translatable needle engaging blades slidably supported, one each, in a respective jaw, each blade having a first position wherein a portion of the blade engages a suture needle when a suture needle is present in suture needle receiving recess formed in the tissue contacting surface of the jaw, and a second position wherein the blade does not engage the suture needle. In accordance with an embodiment, a proximal end of each blade is rotatably supported on a respective barrel of a concentric barrel pair, wherein the blades rotate about the barrels upon a rotation of the jaws.

In some embodiments, a suture needle is loadable into the suture needle receiving recess defined in the jaw when the respective blade is in the second position. In one embodiment, the device includes a loading/unloading assembly supported on the handle assembly and connected to each blade, wherein the loading/unloading assembly is movable between a first position in which the blades are in the first position and a second position in which the blades are in the second position. The loading/unloading assembly may be actuatable in a first direction to move a first blade to the first position and a second blade to the second position, and a second direction to move the first blade in the second direction and the second blade in the first direction.

An endoscopic stitching device of the present invention may also include an articulation assembly supported on the handle assembly and actuatable to articulate the end effector, wherein actuation of the articulation assembly results in articulation of the end effector between the linear configuration and the off-axis configuration. In one embodiment, the articulation assembly includes an articulation cam supported on a housing of the handle assembly and includes first and second cam disks having opposing respective first and second camming channels defined therein, a first pin operably associated with the first camming channel and a first slider configured to longitudinally translate with respect to the housing, and a second pin operably associated with the second camming channel and a second slider configured to longitudinally translate with respect to the housing, the first and second slider secured with respective proximal ends of first and second articulation cables, the distal ends being secured at a location distal of the neck assembly, and wherein the articulation cables are disposed on opposed sides of a center drive rod assembly. The first and second camming channels may be configured to provide equidistant linear motion directly proportional to the angular rotation of the first and second cam disks. The first and second camming channels may have a shape substantially similar to a logarithmic spiral. In some embodiments, each articulation cable remains substantially taut upon translation thereof. In an embodiment, the first and second cam disks are monolithically formed. A torsion spring may operably couple the first and second cam disks. In some embodiments, the articulation assembly includes an articulation knob supported on a housing of the handle assembly, an articulation sleeve operatively connected to the articulation knob and including a pair of oppositely pitched outer helical threads, an articulation collar threadably connected to each helical thread and configured to permit axial translation and prevent rotation thereof, and an articulation cable secured to each articulation collar, wherein each articulation cable includes a first end secured to the respective articulation collar and a second end secured at a location distal of the neck assembly, and wherein the articulation cables are disposed on opposed sides of a center drive rod assembly.

In an embodiment, each articulation cable is operably associated with a seal having first and second lumens extending therethrough, and wherein at least one lumen is configured to receive at least one articulation cable in substantial sealing relationship therewith. At least one of the first and second lumens of the seal may have an arched section. In an embodiment, at least one of the first and second lumens of the seal is repositionable through a plurality of positions including a first position and a second position in response to longitudinal translation of at least one articulation cable therethrough. In an embodiment, at least one lumen of the seal is biased towards at least one of the first or second positions.

In some embodiments, rotation of the articulation knob results in rotation of the articulation sleeve and concomitant axial translation of the articulation collars, wherein axial translation of the articulation collars results in articulation of the end effector. In an embodiment, rotation of the articulation sleeve in a first direction results in relative axial separation of the articulation collars to articulate the end effector in a first direction, and rotation of the articulation sleeve in a second direction results in relative axial separation of the articulation collars to articulate the end effector in a second direction.

In one embodiment, the neck assembly includes a plurality of links in pivotable contact with one another, wherein each link includes a knuckle formed on a first side thereof and a clevis formed on a second side thereof, wherein the knuckle of a first link is operatively connected to a clevis of an adjacent link. The knuckles and devises may be configured to enable uni-directional articulation of the neck assembly. The knuckles and devises may be configured to at least partially overlap one another when the neck assembly is in either the substantially linear configuration or the off-axis configuration. An endoscopic stitching device according to the present invention may include a handle assembly that has a pair of handles and a center drive rod connected at a first end to the handles and at a second end to the pair of jaws, wherein actuation of the handles results in axial translation of the center drive rod and concomitant opening and closing of the jaws.

An endoscopic stitching device consistent with an embodiment of the invention includes a handle assembly including a housing; an elongate shaft supported by and extending from the housing; an end effector supported on a distal end of the elongate shaft, the end effector including a neck assembly configured and adapted for articulation in one direction between a substantially linear configuration and an off-axis configuration, and a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another, wherein each jaw defines a suture needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof, and wherein the jaws are rotatably supported on the end effector for selective rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof when the end effector is in the substantially linear configuration and in the articulated configuration; an articulation assembly supported on the housing and actuatable to articulate the end effector, wherein actuation of the articulation assembly results in articulation of the end effector between the linear configuration and the off-axis configuration; and a rotation assembly supported on the housing, the rotation assembly being configured to transmit an actuation from the handle assembly through the elongate shaft to effectuate rotation of the jaws.

In an embodiment, the articulation assembly includes an articulation cam supported on a housing of the handle assembly and includes first and second cam disks having opposing respective first and second camming channels defined therein, a first pin operably associated with the first camming channel and a first slider configured to longitudinally translate with respect to the housing, and a second pin operably associated with the second camming channel and a second slider configured to longitudinally translate with respect to the housing, the first and second slider secured with respective proximal ends of first and second articulation cables, the distal ends being secured at a location distal of the neck assembly, and wherein the articulation cables are disposed on opposed sides of a center drive rod assembly. The first and second camming channels may be configured to provide equidistant linear motion directly proportional to the angular rotation of the first and second cam disks. The first and second camming channels may have a shape substantially similar to a logarithmic spiral. In some embodiments, each articulation cable remains substantially taut upon translation thereof. In an embodiment, the first and second cam disks are monolithically formed. A torsion spring may operably couple the first and second cam disks.

In an embodiment, the rotation assembly includes a knob rotatably supported on the housing and operatively connected to a center drive rod assembly, wherein the center drive rod assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongate shaft and connected to the jaws. The rotation assembly may include a beveled gear assembly operatively associated with the knob. The beveled gear assembly may be configured to translate the center drive rod assembly for opening and closing the jaws. The beveled gear assembly may be configured to translate rotational energy to the center drive rod assembly in accordance with at least one of the following ratios 1:1, more than 1:1, or less than 1:1. In an embodiment, the beveled gear assembly includes a sun gear disposed in mechanical cooperation with the knob and operatively associated with first and second beveled gears, the first and second beveled gears being operatively associated with each other. The beveled gear assembly may further include a first beveled gear mount disposed in mechanical cooperation with the first beveled gear and the knob. The second beveled gear may be disposed in mechanical cooperation with the center drive rod assembly. In an embodiment, at least a portion of the center drive rod assembly extending through the neck assembly is flexible.

In one embodiment, the endoscopic stitching device includes a center drive rod assembly at least translatably supported in the housing, the elongate shaft and the end effector, and at least rotatably supported in the elongate shaft and the end effector, the center drive rod assembly including a proximal end operatively connected to at least one handle of the handle assembly and a distal end extending through the elongate shaft and operatively connected to the jaws, wherein axial translation of the center drive rod assembly results in opening and closing of the jaws.

In one embodiment, axial rotation of at least a distal portion of the center drive rod assembly results in rotation of the jaws about a longitudinal axis thereof. In an embodiment, the end effector further includes a pair of axially translatable needle engaging blades slidably supported, one each, in a respective jaw, each blade having a first position wherein a portion of the blade engages a suture needle when a suture needle is present in suture needle receiving recess formed in the tissue contacting surface of the jaw, and a second position wherein the blade does not engage the suture needle. A proximal end of each blade may be rotatably supported on a respective barrel of a concentric barrel pair, wherein the blades rotated about the barrels upon a rotation of the jaws. A suture needle may be loadable into the suture needle receiving recess defined in the jaw when the respective blade is in the second position.

An endoscopic stitching device consistent with invention may have a loading/unloading assembly supported on the handle assembly and connected to each blade, wherein the loading/unloading assembly is movable between a first position in which the blades are in the first position and a second position in which the blades are in the second position. The loading/unloading assembly may be actuatable in a first direction to move a first blade to the first position and a second blade to the second position, and a second direction to move the first blade in the second direction and the second blade in the first direction.

In an embodiment, the articulation assembly includes an articulation knob supported on the housing of the handle assembly, an articulation sleeve operatively connected to the articulation knob and including a pair of oppositely pitched outer helical threads, an articulation collar threadably connected to each helical thread and configured to permit axial translation and prevent rotation thereof, and an articulation cable secured to each articulation collar, wherein each articulation cable includes a first end secured to the respective articulation collar and a second end secured at a location distal of the neck assembly, and wherein the articulation cables are disposed on opposed sides of a center drive rod assembly.

In an embodiment, each articulation cable is operably associated with a seal having first and second lumens extending therethrough, and wherein at least one lumen is configured to receive at least one articulation cable in substantial sealing relationship therewith. At least one of the first and second lumens of the seal may have an arched section. At least one of the first and second lumens of the seal may be repositionable through a plurality of positions including a first position and a second position in response to longitudinal translation of at least one articulation cable therethrough. In an embodiment, at least one lumen of the seal is biased towards at least one of the first or second positions.

In an embodiment, rotation of the articulation knob results in rotation of the articulation sleeve and concomitant axial translation of the articulation collars, wherein axial translation of the articulation collars results in articulation of the end effector. In one embodiment, rotation of the articulation sleeve in a first direction results in relative axial separation of the articulation collars to articulate the end effector in a first direction, and rotation of the articulation sleeve in a second direction results in relative axial separation of the articulation collars to articulate the end effector in a second direction.

An endoscopic stitching device of the invention may have a neck assembly that includes a plurality of links in pivotable contact with one another, wherein each link includes a knuckle formed on a first side thereof and a clevis formed on a second side thereof, wherein the knuckle of a first link is operatively connected to a clevis of an adjacent link. The knuckles and devises may be configured to enable uni-directional articulation of the neck assembly. The knuckles and devises may be configured to at least partially overlap one another when the neck assembly is in either the substantially linear configuration or the off-axis configuration.

In an embodiment, the handle assembly includes a pair of handles supported on the housing; and a center drive rod connected at a first end to the handles and at a second end to the pair of jaws, wherein actuation of the handles results in axial translation of the center drive rod and concomitant opening and closing of the jaws.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing objects, features and advantages of the disclosure will become more apparent from a reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible stitching device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top, plan view of the flexible stitching device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side, elevational view of the flexible stitching device of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an end effector of the flexible stitching device of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a neck assembly of the flexible stitching device of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the neck assembly of FIG. 5, as viewed along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top, right-side, perspective view of a handle assembly of the flexible stitching device, illustrated with a housing half-section removed therefrom;

FIG. 8 is a top, left-side, perspective view of a handle assembly of the flexible stitching device, illustrated with a housing half-section removed therefrom;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of the flexible stitching device;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of an needle load assembly and an end effector articulation assembly of the flexible stitching device;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a suture needle assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of a needle retention assembly of the flexible stitching device;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view, with parts assembled, of the needle retention assembly of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the needle retention assembly of FIGS. 12 and 13, as taken through 14-14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the flexible stitching device of the present disclosure, as taken through 15-15 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the flexible stitching device of the present disclosure, as taken through 16-16 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of FIG. 15;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of FIG. 16;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the handle assembly, as taken through 21-21 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a jaw of the end effector assembly, as taken through 22-22 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the handle assembly, of the flexible stitching device, illustrating an initial actuation of the handles thereof;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the end effector assembly, of the flexible stitching device, during the initial actuation of the handle assembly;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the jaw of the end effector illustrating the needle of the suture needle assembly disposed therein;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the movement of the needle load assembly during the initial actuation of the handle assembly;

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the needle load assembly of FIG. 27 as taken through 28-28 of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a housing half-section of the flexible stitching device;

FIG. 30 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the handle assembly, of the flexible stitching device, illustrating a release of handles thereof and an actuation of a needle retention assembly;

FIG. 32 is a plan view further illustrating the actuation of the needle retention assembly;

FIG. 33 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the end effector assembly, illustrating the loading of a suture needle assembly therein;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the end effector assembly as taken through 34-34 of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the end effector assembly as taken through 35-35 of FIG. 33;

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of the handle assembly, of the flexible stitching device, illustrating a further actuation of the needle retention assembly;

FIG. 37 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the end effector assembly, illustrating the positioning of the needle of the suture needle assembly in an opposite jaw thereof;

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of the handle assembly as taken through 38-38 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of the handle assembly as taken through 39-39 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 40 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the handle assembly, illustrating an actuation of the articulation assembly;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of the neck assembly of the flexible stitching device;

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a link of the neck assembly of FIG. 41;

FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view of the end effector, illustrating an articulation thereof,

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of the end effector of FIG. 43;

FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view of the handle assembly as taken through 45-45 of FIG. 7, illustrating an operation of a rotation assembly of the flexible stitching device;

FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view of the handle assembly as taken through 46-46 of FIG. 7, illustrating a further operation of a rotation assembly of the flexible stitching device;

FIG. 47 is a perspective view illustrating the connection of a distal center rod and a proximal center rod, including a coupling sleeve;

FIG. 48 is a perspective view illustrating the connection of the distal center rod and the proximal center rod, with the coupling sleeve removed therefrom;

FIG. 49 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of the connection of a distal link of the neck portion of the end effector assembly to a distal support member of the end effector assembly;

FIG. 50 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of FIG. 49;

FIG. 51 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the connection of the distal link of the neck assembly the distal support member;

FIG. 52 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of FIG. 51;

FIG. 53 is a perspective view of the end effector assembly, illustrating a rotation thereof;

FIG. 54 is a front, perspective view of an end effector rotation assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 55 is a rear, perspective view of the end effector rotation assembly of FIG. 54;

FIG. 56 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of the end effector rotation assembly of FIGS. 54 and 55;

FIG. 57 is a rear, perspective view of the end effector rotation assembly of FIGS. 54-56, illustrating an operation thereof;

FIG. 58 is a front, perspective view of an end effector rotation assembly according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 59 is a cross-sectional view of the end effector rotation assembly of FIG. 58, as taken through 59-59 of FIG. 58;

FIG. 60 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of the end effector rotation assembly of FIGS. 58 and 59;

FIG. 61 is a cross-sectional view of the end effector rotation assembly of FIGS. 58-60, as taken through 61-61 of FIG. 58;

FIG. 62 is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 59, illustrating an operation of the end effector rotation assembly of FIGS. 58-61;

FIG. 63 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the distal end of a flexible stitching device of the present disclosure, including an arched seal therein;

FIG. 64 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of FIG. 63, with the arched seal being illustrated in a first position;

FIG. 65 is a perspective view of the arched seal of FIG. 63;

FIG. 66 is a perspective, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the arched seal of FIGS. 63-65, as taken through 66-66 of FIG. 65;

FIG. 67 is a transverse, cross-sectional view of the arched seal of FIGS. 63-66, as taken through 67-67 of FIG. 64;

FIG. 68 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the arched seal of FIGS. 63-67, with the arched seal being illustrated in a second position;

FIG. 69 is a transverse, cross-sectional view of the arched seal of FIGS. 63-68, as taken through 69-69 of FIG. 68;

FIG. 70 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of an end effector rotation assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 71 is a perspective view of a gear assembly of the end effector rotation assembly of FIG. 70;

FIG. 72 is a cross-sectional view of the end effector rotation assembly of FIGS. 70 and 71, as taken through 72-72 of FIG. 70;

FIG. 73 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a handle assembly of the flexible stitching device, including another embodiment of an articulation assembly therein;

FIG. 74 is an enlarged perspective view of the handle assembly of FIG. 73 with the housing removed to illustrate the articulation assembly;

FIG. 75 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of the articulation assembly of FIGS. 73-74;

FIG. 76 is a side elevational view of an articulation cam of the articulation assembly of FIGS. 73-75, with the articulation cam being illustrated in a first position;

FIG. 77 is a side elevational view of the articulation cam of FIG. 76 with the articulation cam being illustrated in a second position;

FIG. 78 is a side elevational view of the articulation cam of FIGS. 76-77 with the articulation cam being illustrated in a third position;

FIG. 79 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an articulation cam in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 80 is a top plan schematic view of another embodiment of an articulation assembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 81 is a top plan schematic view of another embodiment of an articulation assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 82 is a side elevational schematic view of another embodiment of an articulation assembly in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for endoscopic, laparoscopic, endoluminal, and/or transluminal suturing. In one embodiment, for example, such a device comprises a handle, handle assembly or other suitable actuating mechanism (e.g., robot, etc.) connected to a proximal end of a flexible, elongated body portion. A neck assembly operatively supported on a distal end of the flexible, elongated body portion allows an end effector, operatively supported at a distal end of the neck assembly, to articulate in response to actuation of articulation cables. The end effector includes a suture needle and a pair of jaws. In operation, the suture needle is passed back and forth through tissue from one jaw to the other. The device is adapted to be placed in a lumen of a flexible endoscope and then inserted into a natural orifice of a patient and transited endoluminally through the anatomy of the natural lumen to a treatment site within or outside the natural lumen.

In the drawings and in the description which follow, the term “proximal”, as is traditional, will refer to the end of the device which is closest to the operator, while the term “distal” will refer to the end of the device which is furthest from the operator.

Referring now in specific detail to the drawings, in which like reference numbers identify similar or identical elements, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a flexible stitching device, shown generally at 100. Stitching device 100 is adapted to be particularly useful in endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures wherein an endoscopic portion of the stitching device, i.e., end effector, is insertable into an operative site, via a cannula assembly or the like (not shown).

As seen in FIGS. 1-3, stitching device 100 includes an end effector 200 of supportable on or extends from a handle assembly 300 and/or a distal end of an elongate tubular body portion 308 extending distally from handle assembly 300.

As seen in FIGS. 1-6, 9, 41 and 42, end effector 200 includes a neck assembly 210 supported on a distal end of shaft 308 extending from handle assembly 300, and a tool or jaw assembly 220 supported on a distal end of neck assembly 210. Neck assembly 210 includes a plurality of links 212 each including a proximal knuckle 212 a and a distal clevis 212 b formed therewith. As seen in FIGS. 41 and 42, each knuckle 212 a operatively engages a clevis 212 b of an adjacent link 212. Each link 212 defines a central lumen 212 c (see FIG. 42) formed therein and two pair of opposed lumen 212 d ₁, 212 d ₂ and 212 e ₁, 212 e ₂, respectively, formed on either side of central lumen 212 c. A pair of articulation cables 340, 342 ₂, slidably extend through respective lumens 212 e ₁, 212 e ₂, of links 212.

Knuckles 212 are configured to enable end effector 200 to move between a substantially linear configuration and a substantially angled, off-axis or articulated configuration. Knuckles 212 are also configured so as to permit end effector 200 to be articulated in solely a single direction. For example, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, when end effector 200 is in a linear condition, the knuckles and devises on a first side of central lumen 212 c are fully seated within one another, and the knuckles and devises on a second side of central lumen 212 c are not fully seated within one another, thereby permitting end effector 200 to be articulated in the direction of the not fully seated side of central lumen 212 c. Moreover, the knuckles and corresponding devises are dimensioned such that when end effector 200 is in the substantially linear configuration, the knuckles and the corresponding devises on the not fully seated side of central lumen 212 c are at least aligned with one another or at least partially overlap one another. In this manner, the possibility of tissue, vessels or other body structures getting caught or pinched therebetween is reduced.

Operation of neck assembly 210 to articulate end effector 200 thereabout, will be discussed in greater detail below.

As seen in FIGS. 1-4, 9, 49 and 50, jaw assembly 220 of end effector 200 includes a jaw support member 222, and a pair of jaws 230, 232 mounted for pivotable movement on jaw support member 222. Jaw support member 222 defines a lumen 224 in a proximal end thereof and a pair of spaced apart arms 226 in a distal end thereof. As seen in FIG. 49, lumen 224 is configured and dimensioned to receive a stem 212 f extending from a distal-most link 212 of neck assembly 210.

As seen in FIGS. 49-52, jaw support member 222 defines an annular groove 224 a formed in a surface of lumen 224 thereof and stem 212 f defines an annular race 212 f ₁ formed in an outer surface thereof. An annular groove 224 a formed in a surface of lumen 224 of jaw support member 222 and annular race 212 f ₁ formed in the outer surface of stem 212 f are in registration with one another when stem 212 f is connected to jaw support member 222. A ring 213 is disposed within annular groove 224 a formed in a surface of lumen 224 of jaw support member 222 and annular race 212 f ₁ formed in the outer surface of stem 212 f to thereby maintain stem 212 f connected to jaw support member 222 and permit rotation of jaw support member 222 relative to stem 212 f.

As seen in FIGS. 4, 17 and 18, each jaw 230, 232 includes a needle receiving recess 230 a, 232 a, respectively, configured to surround and hold at least a portion of a needle 104 of a suture needle assembly 102 disposed therein substantially perpendicular to tissue engaging surfaces thereof. As seen in FIG. 11, needle 104 includes a groove 104 a formed near each end thereof. A suture 106 may be secured to surgical needle 104 at a location between grooves 104 a.

Suture 106 of suture needle assembly 104 may comprise a one-way or barbed suture, wherein the suture includes an elongated body having a plurality of barbs extending therefrom. The barbs are oriented in such a way that the barbs cause the suture to resist movement in an opposite direction relative to the direction in which the barb faces.

Suitable sutures for use with suture needle assembly 104 include, and are not limited to, those sutures described and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,123,077; U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,855; and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0060409, filed on Sep. 30, 2002, the entire content of each of which being incorporated herein by reference.

Jaws 230, 232 are pivotably mounted on support member 222 by means of a jaw pivot pin 234 which extends through holes 226 a formed in arms 226 of support member 222 and respective pivot holes 230 b, 232 b formed in jaws 230, 232. To move jaws 230, 232 between an open position and a closed position there is provided an axially or longitudinally movable center drive rod assembly 236 having a camming pin 238 mounted at a distal end of a center drive rod distal portion 236 a. Camming pin 238 rides in and engages angled camming slots 230 c, 232 c formed in respective jaws 230, 232 such that axial or longitudinal movement of center rod assembly 236 causes jaws 230, 232 to be cammed between open and closed positions.

Jaw assembly 220 includes a drive assembly 240 slidably and rotatably disposed within lumen 224 of support member 222. As seen in FIGS. 9 and 12-14, drive assembly 240 includes an inner drive assembly 242 and an outer drive assembly 244. Inner drive assembly 242 includes an inner barrel or collar 242 a defining a lumen 242 b therethrough. Lumen 242 b is configured to slidably and rotatably receive center drive rod distal portion 236 a of center drive rod assembly 236 therein. Inner drive assembly 242 further includes a cuff 250 a slidably and/or rotatably supported on inner barrel 242 a, and a first blade 250 b extending from cuff 250 a. Blade 250 b extends from cuff 250 a in a direction substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis of lumen 242 b of inner barrel 242 a.

As seen in FIGS. 9 and 12-14, outer drive assembly 244 includes an outer barrel or collar 244 a defining a lumen 244 b therethrough and an annular recess 244 c formed in a surface of lumen 244 b. Lumen 244 b is configured to slidably and rotatably receive inner barrel 242 a therein, such that inner barrel 242 a is nested within lumen 244 b of outer barrel 244 a. Outer drive assembly 244 further includes a cuff 252 a slidably and/or rotatably supported in annular recess 244 c, and a second blade 252 b extending from ring 244 d. Blade 252 b extends from cuff 252 a in a direction substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis of lumen 244 b of outer barrel 244 a.

Jaw assembly 220 further includes a clevis 246 disposed between arms 226 of support member 222. Clevis 246 includes a pair of spaced apart arms 246 b extending from a base 246 a. Each arm 246 b defines a lumen 246 c therethrough. Clevis 246 defines a central aperture 246 d formed in base 246 a. Arms 246 b are spaced apart an amount sufficient and central aperture 246 d of base 246 b is dimensioned so as to slidably and rotatably receive distal portion 236 a of center rod assembly 236 therethrough.

Jaw assembly 220, as discussed above, further includes a pair of needle engaging members or blades 250 b, 252 b which are slidably supported within a respective lumen 246 c of arms 246 b of clevis 246. Each blade 250 b, 252 b includes a distal end slidably extending into blade receiving channels 230 d, 232 d (see FIG. 17) of respective jaws 230, 232. Each blade 250 b, 252 b is resilient so as to flex or bend as jaws 230, 232 are opened and closed and still translate relative thereto when jaws 230, 232 are in either the open or closed condition.

In operation, as inner drive assembly 242 and outer drive assembly 244 are translated, in an axial direction, relative to one another, blades 250 b, 252 b are also translated with respect to one another.

Turning now to FIGS. 1-3 and 7-10, a detailed discussion of handle assembly 300 is provided. Handle assembly 300 includes a housing 302 having an upper housing half 304 and a lower housing half 306. Handle assembly 300 further includes a pair of handles 310 pivotably secured to housing 302 and extending outwardly therefrom.

Housing halves 304, 306 of flexible stitching device may be joined together by snap-fit engagement or by suitable fasteners (e.g., screws) or the like. Housing 302 defines a window 304 a, 306 a respectively formed in housing halves 304, 306. Windows 304 a, 306 a of housing halves 304, 306 are dimensioned to receive and provide access to an articulation assembly 330.

As seen in FIG. 9, handles 310 are secured to housing 302 at handle pivot posts. Handle assembly 300 includes a link member 312 having a first end pivotably connected to each handle 310 at a pivot point 310 a formed in a respective handle 310 and a second end pivotally connected to one another and pivotally connected to a proximal portion 236 b of center drive rod assembly 236 via a drive pin 316. Each end of drive pin 316 is slidably received in a respective elongate channel 304 b, 306 b of housing halves 304, 306. In use, as will be described in greater below, as handles 310 are squeezed, link members 312 push center drive rod assembly 236 proximally via drive pin 316.

As mentioned above, handle assembly 300 includes a center drive rod assembly 236 translatably supported in housing 302. Handle assembly 300 includes a biasing member 318, in the form of a return spring, supported on proximal portion 236 b of center drive rod assembly 236 and held in place between a surface 306 c formed in lower housing half 306 and a retaining clip 318 a connected to proximal portion 236 b of center drive rod assembly 236.

As seen in FIGS. 9, 47 and 48, a distal end proximal portion 236 b of center drive rod assembly 236 is rotatably connected to a proximal end of an intermediate portion 236 c of center drive rod assembly 236. In this manner, intermediate portion 236 c of center drive rod assembly 236 is free to rotate relative to proximal portion 236 b of center drive rod assembly 236. A sleeve 237 may be provided to maintain intermediate portion 236 c of center drive rod assembly 236 and proximal portion 236 b of center drive rod assembly 236 connected to one another. Intermediate portion 236 c of center drive rod assembly 236 is connected to distal portion 236 a of center drive rod assembly 236. In operation, as proximal portion 236 b of center drive rod assembly 236 is translated upon the actuation of handles 310, said translation is transmitted to intermediate portion 236 c and distal portion 236 a of center drive rod assembly 236. As described above, as distal portion 236 a of center drive rod assembly 236 is translated camming pin 238, mounted to distal portion 236 a of center drive rod assembly 236, rides in and engages angled camming slots 230 c, 232 c formed in respective jaws 230, 232 to cause jaws 230, 232 to be cammed between open and closed positions.

Handle assembly 300 further includes an articulation assembly 330 rotatably supported in housing 302. Articulation assembly 330 includes a threaded articulation sleeve 332 rotatably supported and axially fixed on center drive rod 314, at a location distal of biasing member 318. Threaded articulation sleeve 332 defines a distal thread and a proximal thread 332 a, 332 b, respectively.

As seen in FIGS. 9, 10, 19 and 20, articulation assembly 330 further includes a distal articulation collar 334 a and a proximal articulation collar 334 b operatively connected to a respective thread 332 a, 332 b of articulation sleeve 332. Each collar 334 a, 334 b defines a pair of radially extending tabs 334 a ₁, 334 b ₁, respectively, that are in slidably engagement in elongate slots 304 d, 306 d (see FIG. 20) of upper and lower housing halves 304, 306, respectively. Threads 332 a, 332 b of articulation sleeve 332 and respective threads of distal and proximal articulation collars 334 a, 334 b are configured such that rotation of articulation sleeve 332 results in either approximation of distal and proximal articulation collars 334 a, 334 b relative to one another when articulation sleeve 332 is rotated in a first direction or separation of distal and proximal articulation collars 334 a, 334 b relative to one another when articulation sleeve 332 is rotated in a second direction. It is contemplated that the pitch of the threads between articulation sleeve 332 and articulation collars 334 a, 334 b may be selected as necessary to achieve the intended purpose of approximating or separating the collars 334 a, 334 b relative to one another.

Articulation assembly 330 further includes an articulation disk 336 rotatably disposed in housing 302 and keyed or otherwise secured to articulation sleeve 332. In this manner, as articulation disk 336 is rotated, concomitant rotation is transmitted to articulation sleeve 332 and to distal and proximal articulation collars 334 a, 334 b. Articulation disk 336 is keyed or otherwise connected to an articulation knob 338 rotatably supported in housing 302 and accessible through windows 304 a, 306 a of upper and lower housing halves 304, 306. In operation, as articulation knob 338 is rotated, said rotation is transmitted to articulation disk 336.

Articulation assembly 330 further includes a pair of articulation cables 340, 342 extending through and secured to end effector 200 and handle assembly 300. A first articulation cable 340 includes a first end secured to proximal articulation collar 334 b and a second end extending through distal articulation collar 334 a, through a respective slot in articulation disk 336, through respective lumen 212 e, of links 212, and secured to distal-most link 212 or stem 212 f of neck portion 210 (see FIG. 18). A second articulation cable 342 includes a first end secured to distal articulation collar 334 a and a second end extending through a respective slot in articulation disk 336, through respective lumen 212 e ₂ of links 212, and secured to distal-most link 212 or stem 212 f of neck portion 210 (see FIG. 18).

In operation, as will be described in greater detail below, as articulation knob 338 is rotated, rotation is transmitted to articulation disk 336 and on to articulation sleeve 332. As articulation sleeve 332 is rotated, distal and proximal articulation collars 334 a, 334 b are approximated and/or separated relative to one another, and thus cause retraction of either first or second articulation cable 340, 342, depending on the direction of rotation of articulation knob 338.

Articulation assembly 330 further includes a biasing member 346 supported on intermediate portion 236 c of center drive rod assembly 236.

As seen in FIGS. 1-3 and 7-14, handle assembly 300 further includes a needle loading/retaining assembly 350 supported thereon. Needle loading/retaining assembly 350 includes a lever 352 pivotably supported in housing 302 and having a pair of arms 354 a, 354 b extending therefrom. Needle loading/retaining assembly 350 further includes a first blade control rod 356 a and a second blade control rod 356 b. Each blade control rod 356 a, 356 b includes a proximal end connected to lever 352 at opposed sides of a pivot axis. In this manner, as lever 352 is actuated or pivoted in a first direction, first blade control rod 356 a is moved in a first direction and second blade control rod 356 b is moved in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, and vice-versa. A distal end of each blade control rod 356 a, 356 b is connected to a respective inner drive assembly 242 and outer drive assembly 244, in particular, to respective inner barrel 242 a and outer barrel 244 a of drive assembly 240.

As seen in FIGS. 12-14, needle loading/retaining assembly 350 further includes resilient bendable rods 358 a, 358 b interconnecting the distal end of each blade control rod 356 a, 356 b to respective inner barrel 242 a and outer barrel 244 a of drive assembly 240. As seen in FIGS. 13 and 14, a rod 359 a, 359 b may interconnect respective distal ends of blade control rods 356 a, 356 b and inner and outer barrels 242 a, 244 a.

As seen in FIGS. 9, 10, 20-22 and 26-30, needle loading/retaining assembly 350 further includes a pair of needle loading/unloading buttons 360, 362 supported on housing 302. Needle loading/unloading buttons 360, 362 are slidable between a distal-most position and a proximal-most position. When needle loading/unloading buttons 360, 362 are in the distal-most position, blades 250 b, 252 b are in a distal-most position such that a respective notch 250 c, 252 c formed therein, as seen in FIG. 22, is aligned with or in registration with respective needle receiving openings 230 a, 232 a of respective jaws 230, 232. With blades 250 b, 252 b in a distal-most position, needle 104 of suture needle assembly 102 may be placed into a selected needle receiving opening 230 a, 232 a of a selected jaw 230, 232. When needle loading/unloading buttons 360, 362 are in the proximal-most position blades 250 b, 252 b are in a proximal-most position such that the respective notch 250 c, 252 c formed therein is out of aligned with or registration with respective needle receiving openings 230 a, 232 a of respective jaws 230, 232. With blades 250 b, 252 b in the proximal-most position, needle 104 of suture needle assembly 102, placed into the selected needle receiving opening 230 a, 232 a of a selected jaw 230, 232, is held in place due to the blade 250 b, 252 b engaging a groove 104 a of needle 104.

As seen in FIGS. 9, 20 and 21, each button 360, 362 is supported on a respective biased stem 360 a, 362 a by a respective biasing member 360 b, 362 b. As seen in FIGS. 21 and 27-30, stems 360 a, 360 b are slidably disposed within respective slots 304 e, 306 e of upper and lower housing halves 304, 306. Each slot 304 e, 306 e includes an enlarged proximal end 304 f, 306 f configured to receive a portion of a respective stem 360 a, 362 a therein as buttons 360, 362 are moved to a proximal position. In order to move buttons 360, 362 in a distal direction, once stems 360 a, 362 a have seated in enlarged proximal ends 304 f, 306 f of slots 304 e, 306 e of upper and lower housing halves 304, 306, the user must depress buttons 360, 362 to move stems 360 a, 362 a out of enlarged proximal ends 304 f, 306 f of slots 304 e, 306 e and thus allow for buttons 360, 362 to move distally.

As seen in FIGS. 9, 10, 20 and 27, needle loading/retaining assembly 350 is supported on a frame or bracket 368. Bracket 368 is movable distally and proximally with lever 352 and is configured to permit passage of center drive rod assembly 236 therethrough. As seen in FIG. 27, biasing member 346 is interposed between bracket 368 and articulation sleeve 332. In use, as buttons 360, 362 are moved in a proximal direction, bracket 368 is moved in a proximal direction to compress biasing member 346. In this manner, when buttons 360, 362 are depressed to disengage stems 360 a, 362 a from enlarged proximal ends 304 f, 306 f of slots 304 e, 306 e, biasing member 346 is permitted to expand the thus return buttons 360, 362 to a distal position.

As seen in FIGS. 1-3, 7-10, 45 and 46, handle assembly 300 further includes a tip rotation assembly 370 supported on housing 302 for rotating end effector 200 about the longitudinal axis thereof. Tip rotation assembly 370 includes a rotation knob 372 supported on housing 302. Rotation knob 372 defines an annular array of internal gear teeth 372 a. Tip rotation assembly 370 includes a gear system 374 supported on a frame 376 in housing 302. Gear system 374 includes at least a first gear 374 a operatively engaged with gear teeth 372 a of rotation knob 372, at least a second gear 374 b keyed to or otherwise connected to intermediate portion 236 c of center drive rod assembly 236, and at least a third gear 374 c interconnecting the first gear 374 a and the second gear 374 b such that the direction of rotation of rotation knob 372 results in concomitant rotation of the intermediate portion 236 c and the distal portion 236 a of center drive rod assembly 236 and, in turn, end effector 200. As intermediate portion 236 c and distal portion 236 a of center drive rod assembly 236 is rotated, said rotation is transmitted to camming pin 238 of jaws 230, 232 and thus rotation is transmitted to end effector 200. Since blades 250 b, 252 b are rotatably supported on respective barrels 242 a, 244 a, blades 250 b, 252 b also rotate with end effector 200.

Turning now to FIGS. 15-53, a detailed discussion of the operation of flexible endoscopic stitching device 100 is provided. As seen in FIGS. 15-22, stitching device 100 is shown in a needle load/unload configuration. When stitching device 100 is in the needle load/unload configuration, as seen in FIGS. 16 and 20, needle loading/retaining assembly 350 is in a distal position such that blades 250 b, 252 b are in a distal-most position and, as seen in FIG. 22, respective notches 250 c, 252 c formed therein, are aligned with or in registration with respective needle receiving openings 230 a, 232 a of respective jaws 230, 232. With notches 250 c, 252 c of blades 250 b, 252 b aligned with or in registration with respective needle receiving openings 230 a, 232 a of respective jaws 230, 232, as seen in FIGS. 24-26, needle 104 of suture needle assembly 102 may be positioned or loaded into a selected one needle receiving opening 230 a, 232 a of respective jaws 230, 232.

As seen in FIGS. 23-26, once needle 104 is loaded into either needle receiving opening 230 a, 232 a of respective jaws 230, 232, handles 310 are actuated (e.g., squeezed) to move link members 312 and, in turn, axially displace center drive rod assembly 236 in a proximal direction (as indicated by arrow “A” of FIGS. 23 and 24). As seen in FIGS. 24 and 25, as center drive rod assembly 236 is moved in a proximal direction, camming pin 238 is moved in a proximal direction to approximate jaws 230, 232.

As seen in FIG. 27, once needle 104 is loaded into either needle receiving opening 230 a, 232 a of respective jaws 230, 232, needle loading/retaining assembly 350 is moved in a proximal direction to thereby retract blades 250 b, 252 b and cause each blade 250 b, 252 b to engage a respective groove 104 a of needle 104.

As seen in FIGS. 31-35, with needle 104 engaged by both blades 250 b, 252 b, as seen in FIGS. 31 and 32, lever 352 is actuated or rotated so that only one blade 250 b, 252 b, e.g., blade 252 b, is maintained in engagement with needle 104, as seen in FIG. 35, and the other blade 250 b is disengaged from needle 104, as seen in FIG. 34. With only one blade, e.g., blade 252 b, engaged with needle 104, as seen in FIGS. 33-35, handles 310 may be released, as seen in FIG. 31, thereby moving center drive rod assembly 236 and camming pin 238 in a distal direction to open jaws 230, 232.

With jaws 230, 232 open, end effector 200 may be positioned at the surgical site as needed, and handles 310 reactuated to approximate jaws 230, 232. For example, with jaws 230, 232 in an open position and needle 104 loaded therein, jaws 230, 232 may be positioned about or over a target tissue and handles 310 actuated to approximate jaws 230, 232. As jaws 230, 232 are approximated, the exposed end of needle 104 is penetrated through the target tissue and enters into the opposed jaw 230, 232. With needle 104 in the opposed jaw 230, 232, as seen in FIG. 36, lever 352 is once again actuated or rotated so that blades 250 b, 252 b are reversed. In so doing, blade 252 b is disengaged from needle 104 and blade 250 b is engaged with needle 104.

As seen in FIG. 37, with needle 104 engaged by blade 250 b, handles 310 may be released to thereby open jaws 230, 232 and draw needle 104 through the target tissue. In so doing, suture 106 is also drawn through the tissue. The process is repeated numerous times passing the needle 104 between jaws 230, 232 and drawing suture through the target tissue thereby suturing the target tissue as needed and or desired.

During a surgical procedure, if desired or necessary, as seen in FIGS. 38-44, a user may actuate articulation knob 338 of articulation assembly 330 to effectuate articulation or off-axis movement of end effector 200. In particular, as articulation knob 338 is rotated, rotation is transmitted to articulation disk 336 and on to articulation sleeve 332. As articulation sleeve 332 is rotated, distal and proximal articulation collars 334 a, 334 b are moved from an approximated condition to a more separated condition relative to one another, thus causing retraction of first articulation cable 340 and extension of second articulation cable 342.

As seen in FIGS. 43 and 44, as first articulation cable 340 is retracted and second articulation cable 342 is extended, end effector 200 is articulated at neck portion 210. As end effector 200 is articulated, intermediate portion 236 c of center drive rod assembly 236 is flexed. In this manner, end effector 200 is still capable of rotation about its axis and jaws 230, 232 are still capable of opening and closing.

As seen in FIG. 44, while in an articulated condition, links 212 remain at least partially over-lapped in order to inhibit entry of tissue of the like therebetween. In this manner, when end effector 200 is returned to un-articulated or linear condition, tissue will not be caught or pinched between links 212 of neck portion 210.

During a surgical procedure, if desired or necessary, as seen in FIGS. 45-53, a user may actuate rotation knob 372 of tip rotation assembly 370 to effectuate rotation of end effector 200 along a longitudinal axis thereof. In particular, as rotation knob 372 is rotated intermediate portion 236 c and distal portion 236 a of center drive rod assembly 236 is rotated. As intermediate portion 236 c and distal portion 236 a of center drive rod assembly 236 is rotated, said rotation is transmitted to camming pin 238 of jaws 230, 232 and thus rotation is transmitted to end effector 200.

Turning now to FIGS. 54-57, a tip rotation assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, for use with stitching device 100, is generally designated as 470. Tip rotation assembly 470 includes a rotation knob 472 supported on housing 302. Knob 472 defines an arcuate slot 472 a formed in a rear surface thereof and which arcuate slot 472 a extends radially outward from a central rotational axis of knob 472 and extends approximately 180° about the central rotational axis. Tip rotation assembly 470 includes a collar 474 keyed to or otherwise secured to center drive rod assembly 236. Tip rotation assembly 470 further includes a wishbone link 476 having a first end 476 a pivotally connected to collar 474 and a second end 476 b pivotally supporting a piston 478. First end 476 a of link 476 is curved about an axis transverse to a pivot axis thereof, so as to define a pocket 476 c configured to selectively receive center drive rod assembly 236 therein. A pin 479 extends though piston 478 and connects piston 478 to arcuate slot 472 a.

Rotation assembly 470 includes a home position in which pin 479 is located at a first end of arcuate slot 472 a, where the arcuate slot 472 a is furthest from the center drive rod assembly 236.

In operation, in order to rotate end effector 200 about the longitudinal axis thereof, rotation knob 472 is rotated from the home position. As rotation knob 472 is rotated, pin 479 slidably translates through arcuate slot 472 a, approximating pin 479 toward center drive rod assembly 236. As pin 479 is approximated toward center drive rod assembly 236, wishbone link 476 is provided with sufficient clearance in order for wishbone link 476 to encircle center drive rod assembly 236. In this way, rotation of knob 472 results in a transmission of a rotational force to center drive rod assembly 236 via piston 478, wishbone link 476 and collar 474.

Turning now to FIGS. 58-62, a tip rotation assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, for use with stitching device 100, is generally designated as 570. Tip rotation assembly 570 includes a rotation knob 572 supported on housing 502. Knob 572 defines an inner helical thread 572 a formed in an inner surface thereof. Tip rotation assembly 570 includes a nut disposed within housing 502. Nut 574 includes a pair of opposed stems 574 a extending radially therefrom and through respective longitudinally extending slots 502 a formed in housing 502. Stems 574 a of nut 574 are sufficient long to engage helical thread 574 a of rotation knob 574. Nut 574 defines an inner helical thread 574 b.

Tip rotation assembly 570 further includes a lead screw 576 keyed to or otherwise connected to center drive rod assembly 236. Lead screw 576 includes an outer thread or the like 576 a which is configured to operatively engage inner helical thread 574 b of nut 574. Lead screw 576 is further axially fixed and rotatably supported in braces 502 b formed in housing 502.

In operation, as seen in FIG. 62, as rotation knob 572 is rotated, stems 574 a of nut 574 are engaged by the inner helical thread 572 a of rotation knob 572 and cause nut 574 to move axially through housing 502 and elongate slots 502 a of housing 502. As nut 574 moves axially though slots 502 a of housing 502, inner thread 574 a thereof engages thread 576 a of lead screw 576 causing lead screw 576 to rotate since lead screw 576 is axially fixed in braces 502 b of housing 502. As lead screw 576 rotates, lead screw 576 transmits said rotation to center drive rod assembly 236.

Referring now to FIGS. 63-69, it is contemplated that each articulation cable 340, 342 may be operably associated with an arched seal 10 disposed in mechanical cooperation with center drive rod assembly 236. Arched seal 10 includes a plurality of cable lumens 12 a-12 d (see FIG. 65) disposed around a center drive rod lumen 14, all extending therethrough. Center drive rod lumen 14 is configured to receive center drive rod assembly 236 therethrough. Each cable lumen 12 a-12 d is configured to receive one or more articulation cables 340, 342 in substantial sealing relationship therewith. Each cable lumen 12 a-12 d may have a respective arched section 16 that includes a venturi portion 16 a configured to engage a surface of one or more articulation cables 340, 342 so that arched seal 10 may move with articulation cables 340, 342.

Venturi portion 16 a of each arched section 16 enables each cable lumen 12 a-12 d to be repositionable through a plurality of positions including a first position corresponding to a linear orientation of neck assembly 210 (e.g., FIG. 66) and a second position corresponding to an articulated orientation of neck assembly 210 (e.g., FIG. 68) in response to longitudinal translation of one or more articulation cables 340, 342 therethrough. In this manner, the sealing relationship between arched seal 10 and articulation cables 340, 342 is maintained at all times when neck assembly 210 is in either the linear or the articulated orientation.

Turning now to FIGS. 70-72, a tip rotation assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, for use with stitching device 100, is generally designated as 670. Tip rotation assembly 670 includes a rotation knob 672 supported on housing 302 (see FIG. 70) and a beveled gear assembly 680 operatively associated with rotation knob 672. Beveled gear assembly 680 includes a sun gear 682 disposed in mechanical cooperation with knob 672, a first beveled gear 684 that is operatively associated with sun gear 682, and a second beveled gear 686 operatively associated with first beveled gear 684. First beveled gear 684 may be generally orthogonally disposed relative to sun gear 682 and second beveled gear 686. Second beveled gear 686 is disposed in mechanical cooperation with center drive rod assembly 236 for facilitating the transfer of rotational energy from tip rotation assembly 670 to center drive rod assembly 236 for opening and closing jaws 230, 232.

Tip rotation assembly 670 further includes a first beveled gear mount 685 disposed in mechanical cooperation with first beveled gear 684 and knob 672. First beveled gear mount 685 rotatably supports first beveled gear 684 relative to knob 672 and, in particular, interconnecting sun gear 682 and second beveled gear 606.

Sun gear 682 and second beveled gear 686 may be configured and dimensioned to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the stitching device 100 in offset relationship relative to each other. First beveled gear mount 685 is configured to orient first beveled gear 684 such that first beveled gear 684 rotates about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the stitching device 100. Second beveled gear 686 may be keyed to or flat surfaces for engaging center drive rod assembly 236 while still allowing axial movement of center drive rod assembly 236 relative to second beveled gear 686. Sun gear 682, first beveled gear 684, and second beveled gear 686 may be configured and dimensioned to collectively allow only minimal (e.g., five degrees) rotational backlash. In addition, beveled gear assembly 680 of tip rotation assembly 670 may be configured and dimensioned to translate rotational energy to the center drive rod assembly 236 in accordance with one or more of the following ratios: 1:1, more than 1:1, or less than 1:1.

In operation, as rotation knob 672 is rotated (may be clockwise or counterclockwise) about the longitudinal axis of the stitching device 100, sun gear 682 (keyed to rotation knob 672) of beveled gear assembly 680 concentrically rotates therewith. Sun gear 682 engages with a first gear portion 684 a of first beveled gear 684, causing first beveled gear 684 to be rotated about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the stitching device 100. Rotation of the first beveled gear 684 causes second gear portion 684 b of first beveled gear 684 to engage second beveled gear 686 and to rotate second beveled gear 686 about the longitudinal axis of the stitching device 100. Rotation of the second beveled gear 686 causes the center drive rod assembly 236 to rotate and thus cause jaws 230, 232 to rotate.

Referring now to FIGS. 73-78, a handle assembly 1300 including another embodiment of an articulation assembly 1000 is shown. Articulation assembly 1000 includes an articulation cam 1010, a first pin 1020, a second pin 1030, a first slider 1040, a second slider 1050, and first and second articulation cables 340, 342. Articulation cam 1010 includes first and second articulation arms 1012, 1014, and first and second cam disks 1016, 1018 for positioning articulation cam 1010 through a plurality of positions corresponding to a linear and/or angular orientation of neck assembly 210 including a first position (FIG. 76), a second position (FIG. 77), and a third position (FIG. 78).

Articulation cam 1010 is supported in a housing 1302 of handle assembly 1300. First and second cam disks 1016, 1018 define opposing respective first and second camming channels 1016 a, 1018 a therein. First and second camming channels 1016 a, 1018 a may have a shape substantially similar to a logarithmic spiral that may be configured to provide equidistant linear motion directly proportional to the angular rotation of first and second cam disks 1016, 1018. As such, each articulation cable 340, 342 may remain substantially taut upon translation thereof relative to housing 1302.

Referring again to FIGS. 73-78, first pin 1020 is operably associated with first camming channel 1016 a of first cam disk 1016 and with first slider 1040. First slider 1040 is configured to longitudinally translate in a channel defined in housing 1302. Second pin 1030 is operably associated with second camming channel 1018 a of second cam disk 1018 and with second slider 1050. Second slider 1050 is configured to longitudinally translate in a channel defined in housing 1302. First and second sliders 1040, 1050 are secured to respective proximal ends of first and second articulation cables 340, 342. Distal ends of first and second articulation cables 340, 342 are secured at a location distal of the neck assembly 210, as described above. Articulation cables 340, 342 are disposed on opposed sides of center drive rod assembly 236.

In operation, to articulate neck assembly 210, articulation cam 1010 is rotated via first and/or second articulation arms 1012, 1014. As seen in FIGS. 73-78, as articulation cam 1010, is rotated, first and second pins 1030, 1040 translate through respective first and second camming channels 1016 a, 1018 a of first and second cam disks 1016, 1018, and cause respective first and second sliders 1040, 1050 to longitudinally translate. As first and second sliders 1040, 1050 longitudinally translate, either first or second articulation cables 340, 342 retract, depending on the direction of the rotation of the articulation cam 1010, thereby causing neck assembly 210 to articulate. In this manner, one articulation cable 340, 342 is retracted, while the other articulation cable 340, 342 extends precisely the same length as the other shortens. The retraction and extension of the articulation cables 340, 342 are proportional with the curvature of first and second camming channels 1016 a, 1018 a of first and second cam disks 1016, 1018.

In other words, upon articulation of neck assembly 210, the articulation cable 340, 342 translating in a distal direction must travel a greater distance as compared to articulation cable 340, 342 translating in a proximal direction. As such, in order to compensate for any slack in the tension of articulation cables 340, 342, first and second camming channels 1016 a, 1018 a have been shaped to cause greater proximal translation of articulation cable 340 or 342 the greater the degree of rotation of first and/or second actuation arms 1012, 1014.

First and second cam disks 1016, 1018 may be monolithically formed. As illustrated in another embodiment of an articulation cam designated generally as 2010 and shown in FIG. 79, first and second cam disks 2016, 2018 may be separate and distinct such that each may rotate in opposed rotational directions via first and second articulation arms 2012, 2014. A torsion spring 2015 may operably couple first and second cam disks 2016, 2018 such that distal and proximal ends of torsion spring 2015 are disposed in mechanical cooperation with respective first and second cam disks 2016, 2018. Torsion spring 2015 may be supported on a shaft axially disposed between first and second cam disks 2016, 2018 to facilitate about 10 to 15 degree rotation of each cam disk 2016, 2018 in relation to each other. Torsion spring 2015 may be preloaded such that it generates force sufficient for maintaining articulation cables 340, 342 in tension for precision operation of the stitching device 100, yet configured to limit rotation of first and second cam disks 2016, 2018 relative to each other during articulation of the neck assembly 210.

As illustrated in other embodiments of articulation assemblies 3000, 4000, 5000 shown in FIGS. 80-82, articulation cables 340, 342 may be attached directly to first or second pins 1030, 1040 that are disposed in mechanical cooperation with respective first and second cam disks 1016, 1018, 2016, 2018 for providing longitudinal translation. As illustrated in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 80-81, articulation cables 340, 342 may be redirected by one or more rollers “R” mounted at various positions on housing 302, 1302. As such, first and second cam disks 1016, 1018, 2016, 2018 may be positioned in longitudinal alignment with the longitudinal axis of the stitching device, transverse thereto, or any other variation thereof since rollers “R” may redirect the articulation cables 340, 342 in any direction, depending on placement thereof.

While the disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, modifications such as those suggested above, but not limited thereto, are to be considered within the scope of the invention. 

1. An endoscopic stitching device, comprising: a handle assembly; an elongate shaft supported by and extending from the handle assembly; and an end effector supported on a distal end of the elongate shaft, the end effector including a neck assembly configured and adapted for articulation in one direction between a substantially linear configuration and an off-axis configuration, and a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another, wherein each jaw defines a suture needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof.
 2. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 1, wherein the jaws are rotatably supported on the end effector for selective rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof when the end effector is in the substantially linear configuration and in the articulated configuration.
 3. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 1, wherein the handle assembly supports a rotation assembly configured to transmit an actuation from the handle assembly through the elongate shaft to effectuate rotation of the jaws.
 4. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 3, wherein the rotation assembly includes a knob rotatably supported on a housing of the handle assembly and operatively connected to a center drive rod assembly, wherein the center drive rod assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongate shaft and connected to the jaws.
 5. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the center drive rod assembly is flexible.
 6. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 1, further comprising a center drive rod assembly translatably supported therein, the center drive rod assembly including a proximal end operatively connected to at least one handle of the handle assembly and a distal end extending through the elongate shaft and operatively connected to the jaws, wherein axial translation of the center drive rod assembly results in opening and closing of the jaws.
 7. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 6, wherein axial rotation of the center drive rod assembly results in rotation of the jaws about a longitudinal axis thereof.
 8. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 7, further comprising a rotation assembly supported on a housing of the handle assembly and operatively connected to the center drive rod assembly, wherein actuation of the rotation assembly results in concomitant rotation of the center drive rod assembly and the jaws.
 9. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 8, wherein at least a portion of a length of the center drive rod assembly is flexible, wherein the flexible portion of the center drive rod assembly will flex upon an articulation of the end effector and enable rotation of the jaws when the end effector is in an articulated condition.
 10. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 1, wherein the end effector further includes a pair of axially translatable needle engaging blades slidably supported, one each, in a respective jaw, each blade having a first position wherein a portion of the blade engages a suture needle when a suture needle is present in suture needle receiving recess formed in the tissue contacting surface of the jaw, and a second position wherein the blade does not engage the suture needle.
 11. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 10, wherein a proximal end of each blade is rotatably supported on a respective barrel of a concentric barrel pair, wherein the blades rotated about the barrels upon a rotation of the jaws.
 12. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 10, wherein a suture needle is loadable into the suture needle receiving recess defined in the jaw when the respective blade is in the second position.
 13. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 10, further comprising a loading/unloading assembly supported on the handle assembly and connected to each blade, wherein the loading/unloading assembly is movable between a first position in which the blades are in the first position and a second position in which the blades are in the second position.
 14. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 13, wherein the loading/unloading assembly is actuatable in a first direction to move a first blade to the first position and a second blade to the second position, and a second direction to move the first blade in the second direction and the second blade in the first direction.
 15. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 1, further comprising an articulation assembly supported on the handle assembly and actuatable to articulate the end effector, wherein actuation of the articulation assembly results in articulation of the end effector between the linear configuration and the off-axis configuration.
 16. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 15, wherein the articulation assembly includes an articulation cam supported on a housing of the handle assembly and includes first and second cam disks having opposing respective first and second camming channels defined therein, a first pin operably associated with the first camming channel and a first slider configured to longitudinally translate with respect to the housing, and a second pin operably associated with the second camming channel and a second slider configured to longitudinally translate with respect to the housing, the first and second slider secured with respective proximal ends of first and second articulation cables, the distal ends being secured at a location distal of the neck assembly, and wherein the articulation cables are disposed on opposed sides of a center drive rod assembly.
 17. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 16, wherein the first and second camming channels are configured to provide equidistant linear motion directly proportional to the angular rotation of the first and second cam disks.
 18. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 17, wherein the first and second camming channels have a shape substantially similar to a logarithmic spiral.
 19. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 16, wherein each articulation cable remains substantially taut upon translation thereof.
 20. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 16, wherein the first and second cam disks are monolithically formed.
 21. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 16, wherein a torsion spring operably couples the first and second cam disks.
 22. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 15, wherein the articulation assembly includes an articulation knob supported on a housing of the handle assembly, an articulation sleeve operatively connected to the articulation knob and including a pair of oppositely pitched outer helical threads, an articulation collar threadably connected to each helical thread and configured to permit axial translation and prevent rotation thereof, and an articulation cable secured to each articulation collar, wherein each articulation cable includes a first end secured to the respective articulation collar and a second end secured at a location distal of the neck assembly, and wherein the articulation cables are disposed on opposed sides of a center drive rod assembly.
 23. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 22, wherein each articulation cable is operably associated with a seal having first and second lumens extending therethrough, and wherein at least one lumen is configured to receive at least one articulation cable in substantial sealing relationship therewith.
 24. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 23, wherein at least one of the first and second lumens has an arched section.
 25. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 23, wherein at least one of the first and second lumens is repositionable through a plurality of positions including a first position and a second position in response to longitudinal translation of at least one articulation cable therethrough.
 26. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 25, wherein at least one lumen is biased towards at least one of the first or second positions.
 27. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 22, wherein rotation of the articulation knob results in rotation of the articulation sleeve and concomitant axial translation of the articulation collars, wherein axial translation of the articulation collars results in articulation of the end effector.
 28. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 27, wherein rotation of the articulation sleeve in a first direction results in relative axial separation of the articulation collars to articulate the end effector in a first direction, and rotation of the articulation sleeve in a second direction results in relative axial separation of the articulation collars to articulate the end effector in a second direction.
 29. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 1, wherein the neck assembly includes a plurality of links in pivotable contact with one another, wherein each link includes a knuckle formed on a first side thereof and a clevis formed on a second side thereof, wherein the knuckle of a first link is operatively connected to a clevis of an adjacent link.
 30. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 29, wherein the knuckles and devises are configured to enable unidirectional articulation of the neck assembly.
 31. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 29, wherein the knuckles and devises are configured to at least partially overlap one another when the neck assembly is in either the substantially linear configuration or the off-axis configuration.
 32. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 1, wherein the handle assembly includes a pair of handles and a center drive rod connected at a first end to the handles and at a second end to the pair of jaws, wherein actuation of the handles results in axial translation of the center drive rod and concomitant opening and closing of the jaws.
 33. An endoscopic stitching device, comprising: a handle assembly including a housing; an elongate shaft supported by and extending from the housing; an end effector supported on a distal end of the elongate shaft, the end effector including a neck assembly configured and adapted for articulation in one direction between a substantially linear configuration and an off-axis configuration, and a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another, wherein each jaw defines a suture needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof, and wherein the jaws are rotatably supported on the end effector for selective rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof when the end effector is in the substantially linear configuration and in the articulated configuration; an articulation assembly supported on the housing and actuatable to articulate the end effector, wherein actuation of the articulation assembly results in articulation of the end effector between the linear configuration and the off-axis configuration; and a rotation assembly supported on the housing, the rotation assembly being configured to transmit an actuation from the handle assembly through the elongate shaft to effectuate rotation of the jaws.
 34. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 33, wherein the articulation assembly includes an articulation cam supported on a housing of the handle assembly and includes first and second cam disks having opposing respective first and second camming channels defined therein, a first pin operably associated with the first camming channel and a first slider configured to longitudinally translate with respect to the housing, and a second pin operably associated with the second camming channel and a second slider configured to longitudinally translate with respect to the housing, the first and second slider secured with respective proximal ends of first and second articulation cables, the distal ends being secured at a location distal of the neck assembly, and wherein the articulation cables are disposed on opposed sides of a center drive rod assembly.
 35. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 34, wherein the first and second camming channels are configured to provide equidistant linear motion directly proportional to the angular rotation of the first and second cam disks.
 36. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 35, wherein the first and second camming channels have a shape substantially similar to a logarithmic spiral.
 37. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 34, wherein each articulation cable remains substantially taut upon translation thereof.
 38. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 34, wherein the first and second cam disks are monolithically formed.
 39. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 34, wherein a torsion spring operably couples the first and second cam disks.
 40. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 33, wherein the rotation assembly includes a knob rotatably supported on the housing and operatively connected to a center drive rod assembly, wherein the center drive rod assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongate shaft and connected to the jaws.
 41. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 40, wherein the rotation assembly includes a beveled gear assembly operatively associated with the knob.
 42. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 41, wherein the beveled gear assembly is configured to translate the center drive rod assembly for opening and closing the jaws.
 43. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 41, wherein the beveled gear assembly is configured to translate rotational energy to the center drive rod assembly in accordance with at least one of the following ratios 1:1, more than 1:1, or less than 1:1.
 44. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 41, wherein the beveled gear assembly includes a sun gear disposed in mechanical cooperation with the knob and operatively associated with first and second beveled gears, the first and second beveled gears being operatively associated with each other.
 45. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 44, wherein the beveled gear assembly further includes a first beveled gear mount disposed in mechanical cooperation with the first beveled gear and the knob.
 46. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 44, wherein the second beveled gear is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the center drive rod assembly.
 47. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 40, wherein at least a portion of the center drive rod assembly extending through the neck assembly is flexible.
 48. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 33, further comprising a center drive rod assembly at least translatably supported in the housing, the elongate shaft and the end effector, and at least rotatably supported in the elongate shaft and the end effector, the center drive rod assembly including a proximal end operatively connected to at least one handle of the handle assembly and a distal end extending through the elongate shaft and operatively connected to the jaws, wherein axial translation of the center drive rod assembly results in opening and closing of the jaws.
 49. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 48, wherein axial rotation of at least a distal portion of the center drive rod assembly results in rotation of the jaws about a longitudinal axis thereof.
 50. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 33, wherein the end effector further includes a pair of axially translatable needle engaging blades slidably supported, one each, in a respective jaw, each blade having a first position wherein a portion of the blade engages a suture needle when a suture needle is present in suture needle receiving recess formed in the tissue contacting surface of the jaw, and a second position wherein the blade does not engage the suture needle.
 51. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 50, wherein a proximal end of each blade is rotatably supported on a respective barrel of a concentric barrel pair, wherein the blades rotated about the barrels upon a rotation of the jaws.
 52. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 50, wherein a suture needle is loadable into the suture needle receiving recess defined in the jaw when the respective blade is in the second position.
 53. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 50, further comprising a loading/unloading assembly supported on the handle assembly and connected to each blade, wherein the loading/unloading assembly is movable between a first position in which the blades are in the first position and a second position in which the blades are in the second position.
 54. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 53, wherein the loading/unloading assembly is actuatable in a first direction to move a first blade to the first position and a second blade to the second position, and a second direction to move the first blade in the second direction and the second blade in the first direction.
 55. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 33, wherein the articulation assembly includes an articulation knob supported on the housing of the handle assembly, an articulation sleeve operatively connected to the articulation knob and including a pair of oppositely pitched outer helical threads, an articulation collar threadably connected to each helical thread and configured to permit axial translation and prevent rotation thereof, and an articulation cable secured to each articulation collar, wherein each articulation cable includes a first end secured to the respective articulation collar and a second end secured at a location distal of the neck assembly, and wherein the articulation cables are disposed on opposed sides of a center drive rod assembly.
 56. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 55, wherein each articulation cable is operably associated with a seal having first and second lumens extending therethrough, and wherein at least one lumen is configured to receive at least one articulation cable in substantial sealing relationship therewith.
 57. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 56, wherein at least one of the first and second lumens has an arched section.
 58. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 56, wherein at least one of the first and second lumens is repositionable through a plurality of positions including a first position and a second position in response to longitudinal translation of at least one articulation cable therethrough.
 59. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 58, wherein at least one lumen is biased towards at least one of the first or second positions.
 60. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 55, wherein rotation of the articulation knob results in rotation of the articulation sleeve and concomitant axial translation of the articulation collars, wherein axial translation of the articulation collars results in articulation of the end effector.
 61. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 60, wherein rotation of the articulation sleeve in a first direction results in relative axial separation of the articulation collars to articulate the end effector in a first direction, and rotation of the articulation sleeve in a second direction results in relative axial separation of the articulation collars to articulate the end effector in a second direction.
 62. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 33, wherein the neck assembly includes a plurality of links in pivotable contact with one another, wherein each link includes a knuckle formed on a first side thereof and a clevis formed on a second side thereof, wherein the knuckle of a first link is operatively connected to a clevis of an adjacent link.
 63. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 62, wherein the knuckles and devises are configured to enable uni-directional articulation of the neck assembly.
 64. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 62, wherein the knuckles and devises are configured to at least partially overlap one another when the neck assembly is in either the substantially linear configuration or the off-axis configuration.
 65. The endoscopic stitching device according to claim 62, wherein the handle assembly includes: a pair of handles supported on the housing; and a center drive rod connected at a first end to the handles and at a second end to the pair of jaws, wherein actuation of the handles results in axial translation of the center drive rod and concomitant opening and closing of the jaws. 